The first half the New York Red Bulls’ preseason concluded on Saturday with their third and final Florida exhibition, a win against the Philadelphia Union, 4-3.
At the end of camp, head coach Jesse Marsch expressed his excitement about the group, which he said is performing “ahead of schedule.”
“I think we’re really pleased with our options and with our depth,” Marsch said. “We’re a little bit ahead of schedule based on guys coming in fit, based on clarity of what we’re trying to achieve and talent within the team…we feel confident.”
For Bradley Wright-Phillips, the young players in the group have impressed him the most in Florida.
“The young guys are coming along,” Wright-Phillips said. “Some of the young guys have been our best players through the first two weeks of camp. They are impressing me and they are impressing all the guys and coaching staff.”
According to Tyler Adams, the next step for the young players is “establishing themselves” in the team.
“I was in those guy’s shoes not too long ago…its about establishing themselves,” Adams said. “Guys are learning step-by-step, day-by-day what we have to do and all the nuances of how we play.
“There are a lot of different guys that have got signed that are also trying to establish themselves, so I am just trying to play a role now that using my experiences to help them along the way.”
The next opportunity for the young Red Bulls begins on Tuesday, February 6 when the Red Bulls head to Tucson, Arizona for the second and final preseason camp.
